Jan 27, 2021
Summary:
In today’s episode we break down the importance of mental, physical, and spiritual health. We share our experience and secrets in training and putting your health FIRST. We show you why training like a pro athlete will be the key to your success. We also give practical tips on improving physical health, and offer advice for anyone seeking holistic health in their lives. How does diet really impact the way you run your business? How can you find time to work out without feeling guilty for taking time away from work? Is it possible to remove the reactivity of your mind when it comes to stressful decision-making in your business?
Top 3 Curtain Pulls in this episode:
Resources
For more tips, discussion, and behind the scenes:
About The Guys:
Bob Hutchins: Founder of BuzzPlant, a digital agency that he ran from from 2000 -2017. He is also the author of 3 books. More on Bob:
Brad Ayres: Founder of Anthem Republic, an award-winning ad agency. Brad’s knowledge has led some of the biggest brands in the world. Originally from Detroit, Brad is an OG in the ad agency world and has the wisdom and scars to prove it. Currently that knowledge is being applied to his boutique agency. More on Brad:
Ken Ott: Co-Founder and Chief Growth Rebel of Metacake, an Ecommerce Growth Team for some of the world’s most influential brands with a mission to Grow Brands That Matter. Ken is also an author, speaker, and was nominated for an Emmy for his acting on the Metacake Youtube Channel (not really). More on Ken:
Show Notes:
[0:35] The Guys catch up, Bob asks Ken about how his fast is going and they segue into today’s topic: How your body impacts the health of your business.
[3:45] Bob mentions a previous episode where they talked about the importance of training for professional athletes and how that is also vital to success as a business owner.
[4:15] Ken has always been interested in fitness and being healthy. In adult life the challenges have come with parenthood- getting enough rest, adapting your schedule to the new environment and challenges.
[6:06] Ken continues, saying that finding time during the day to work out without feeling guilt or shame was very challenging. But ultimately, health is part of his job and a necessity.
[8:50] Brad shares his journey through physical and mental health. He’s had a lot of inconsistencies with his workout routines and has felt it, but recently found some activities that he enjoys.
[11:43] Ken talks about the friction between the social isolation of Covid and the fear and lack of caring that many of us experience with our diet and health. If you have a routine that you don’t enjoy, find a way to make it enjoyable! Apps like Apple fitness help reduce that friction because you can do workouts from home.
[13:35] Bob asks about Brad’s experience with the up and down of working out and being more healthy.
[14:10] Brad talks about the hustle culture that he was surrounded by in LA, saying he definitely didn’t take care of himself as well as he should have. Until Covid hit, he’d been working out regularly for around 8-9 years. He talks about the mental clarity and confidence that comes along with being mindful of your health.
[16:54] Ken talks about the concept of learning to like or at least tolerate your workout routine. When you don’t feel like doing it, just go through the motions and do it- as you do that, your body will begin to produce those chemicals that help you find motivation again.
[17:55] Bob shares a quote that resonates with him- “motion is lotion” meaning that even a small bit of movement helps your brain/body/spirit begin to reach that place of synchronicity.
[18:58] Ken talks about finding what works for you and the benefits that come along with it. Your ability to have fun and enjoy life in general goes up.
[20:55] Bob says that the periods of consistency with his workout schedule are when he feels his best. In order to stay sharp, relevant, competitive, you have to take care of your mind AND your body.
[23:23] Ken talks about something called the “success gap”, and how you have to have strong reasoning for why you're doing something in order for it to last. So making a monetary commitment is a great way to hold yourself accountable past that success gap period of 4-6 weeks.
[24:06] Brad talks about having accountability from people and how he uses that to get motivated and stay motivated.
[25:22] Bob suggests attempting to “gamify” exercise and incorporate more competition with yourself into your routine.
[26:53] Bob shifts gears to talking about sleep- he recently purchased a Casper mattress (not sponsored) and he says that the importance of a good night’s sleep is so vital to health. He asks Brad and Ken about their sleep woes.
[28:20] Ken talks about his journey through learning more about sleep- understanding the level of restoration and healing that takes place during sleep as well as learning that the ingredients for getting a good night’s sleep are very finicky.
[31:22] Ken continues, talking about how modern technology has ruined circadian rhythms.
[33:40] Ken talks about the lack of motivation that people can have to work on their sleep- but if you figure out why you’re doing it, why you’re adjusting your life and habits then it can help.
[35:05] Bob also suggests no late-night snacking. While you may think you’re hungry, taking in more food late at night is just waking up your body again to process the fuel that you’ve given it.
[36:18] Ken talks about how your body continues doing work as you stop eating food, there are certain processes that can only happen when you’re not eating (autophagy of the cells).
[40:40] Ken changes the topic to the health of your team as well as yours. Being a healthy leader will change your perspective in anxiety-riddled situations in business. He makes it a priority that his team have access to mental, physical, and spiritual health, and asks Bob and Brad what they do to be intentional about this as leaders.
[42:23] Bob talks about the toxicity of an unhealthy work environment. It’s where we all spend most of our lives, and it will impact you in ways that you don’t even realize.
[45:20] Ken talks about dealing with people who are consistently negative, and how that can impact and change the behavior of everyone in the room.
[47:13] Ken talks about dealing with his team with mind, body, and spirit in mind. Metacake offers a subsidized membership to a gym in the area. They also offer free counseling twice a month from a local pastor.
[50:27] Bob talks about the telehealth solutions that have popped up over the last year- they are a great option for having someone to talk to quickly and over the phone.
[51:10] Ken says that the mentality of having a physical person in-house helps to inspire others in the group as well. Helps to normalize pursuing mental health.
[53:38] Bob talks about media trauma, saying that it is pervasive and widespread now more than ever. The things that you consume are SO important today more than ever.
[54:34] Brad talks about meditation and prayer, telling us that this has been a big focus for him in 2021.
[55:11] Brad continues, saying that the fear of being unproductive is pervasive for him but he’s found that in learning to sit with those feelings in silence for 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes at a time, the anxiety around that feeling has quieted and been reduced significantly. He has more mental clarity.
[57:13] Bob says that focusing on meditation and prayer is so vital to learning to defend your boundaries. He’s read about a theory that goes against the current social norms- self-help trends and grinding mentalities- that instead focuses on finding your footing in life and growing deep in that footing. And when you are able to do that, even for short periods of time, you find yourself being more productive and reacting differently to life.
[59:09] Ken stresses the importance of being in touch with spirituality in some sense- it helps you to keep other parts of your life in balance.
[1:00:23] Ken says that often by just pursuing balance in mind, body, and spirit, you will benefit and begin to see things more clearly. There is a sense of peace that comes with that spiritual focus that bleeds into every other part of your life.